PASSI CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI honored its most dedicated partners at the Gawad Kaagapay ng Kalikasan on June 30, 2026, inside the City of Passi Arena. The ceremony recognized local government units, agencies, and stakeholders whose collaboration has advanced environmental conservation and sustainable development across Western Visayas.
A Fitting Finale for Environment Month
The recognition ceremony served as the grand culminating activity for Philippine Environment Month 2026, celebrated every June. Rather than a simple awards program, the evening blended environmental advocacy with creativity, featuring “DENR Got Talent” and the eco‑themed “Mutya ng Kalikasan 2026” pageant. Seven candidates from various PENROs and EMB competed to become the region’s green ambassador.
Atty. Ramar Niel V. Pascua, OIC Regional Executive Director of DENR VI, led the proceedings alongside officials from the Environmental Management Bureau and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. He underscored that protecting nature can be expressed in engaging, community‑centered ways. The festive atmosphere reflected the agency’s belief that conservation work must be shared and celebrated publicly.
Passi City’s Award‑Winning Stewardship
The City General Environment and Natural Resources Office (CGENRO) of Passi City received a Certificate of Recognition for its outstanding partnership and contribution to environmental conservation. Forester Alma Demontaño, CENRO I, accepted the award on behalf of the city. The recognition validated Passi’s consistent leadership in turning environmental policy into measurable results.
Mayor Stephen A. Palmares welcomed the delegates and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to sustainable partnerships. He noted that environmental stewardship is woven into Passi’s local governance, from barangay‑level waste segregation to regional‑scale collaborations. The city’s efforts are not limited to one‑time projects but form part of an ongoing culture of accountability and innovation.
A Regional Model for Waste Management
Passi City has earned its reputation as a regional environmental hub largely through its Integrated Waste Management Facility, a Category 4 engineered sanitary landfill operated with Basic Environment Systems and Technologies (BEST), Inc. The facility now serves as a consolidation and final disposal hub for over three dozen municipalities across Iloilo and Capiz. This collaborative model keeps thousands of tons of waste from ending up in waterways and open dumps.
Further strengthening its credentials, Passi City was selected in May 2026 to pilot a Digital Waste Tracking System across 15 barangays. Implemented with the UNDP and the Coca‑Cola Foundation under the PH Plastics Circularity Project, the system uses real‑time data to track plastic diversion and integrate informal waste pickers into the circular economy. These innovations make Passi a living laboratory for modern environmental governance.
Honoring the Power of Partnership
The Gawad Kaagapay ng Kalikasan highlighted that meaningful environmental progress requires the combined effort of government, private sector, and communities. Beyond Passi City, the awards recognized numerous partners who contributed expertise, resources, and local knowledge to protect Western Visayas’ natural resources. Each awardee represented a vital link in the chain of ecological stewardship.
The event also reinforced DENR VI’s strategy of bringing recognition ceremonies directly to the communities that have demonstrated excellence. By holding the event in Passi City, the agency signaled that model environmental practices are alive and thriving outside the regional center. The gathering concluded with a shared commitment to expand successful local initiatives across the region.
